| ![Show Contents]() Paford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England There are two distinct sources for the Paford surname. Some instances of the surname come from the Old French word "pafard," meaning "shield," and as such, the name may have been a Norman nickname or occupational name either a soldier or an armorer. The name is also thought to have come from either of two minor places in Devon: Pafford in Moretonhampstead or Parford in Drewsteignton, both are derived from the Old English words "pæð" meaning "path," and "ford," meaning "a ford," that is, a low spot where a river may be crossed. The source Old English Bynames lists William Pafard c. 1100-1130. 1 Early Origins of the Paford familyThe surname Paford was first found in Nottinghamshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Bayford branch of the family originated in either Somerset at Bayford, a hamlet, in the parish of StokeTrister, union of Wincanton, hundred of NortonFerris 2 or in the village and civil parish of Bayford in the East Hertfordshire district of Hertfordshire. In the latter, the family resided there since the reign of King Edward I. 3 Early History of the Paford familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Paford research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1096, 1156, 1347, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1600, 1615 and 1619 are included under the topic Early Paford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Paford Spelling VariationsOnly recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Paford has undergone many spelling variations, including Bafford, Bafforde, Baford, Bayford, Bafore, Pafford and many more. Early Notables of the Paford familyMore information is included under the topic Early Paford Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Paford familyTo escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Paford were among those contributors: Fred Paffard, and Henry Paffard, who were both on record in the census of Ontario, Canada of 1871; and Thomas Pafford, a bonded passenger who was sent to Barbados or Jamaica in 1688..
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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